Carly has positioned itself as a user-friendly alternative to professional dealership-level diagnostic and programming tools. The promise is comprehensive vehicle control, from running full system scans to unlocking hidden features and customizing settings typically inaccessible to the average user. It sounds like the perfect gadget for any car enthusiast to keep handy. Carly boasts a range of impressive capabilities, so let’s delve into what it truly offers.
First, consider the “Universal Scanner,” Carly’s OBD2 dongle. It’s notably sleek and lightweight, featuring an OBD2 connector on one end and status LEDs on the other. The setup is straightforward: plug it into your car’s OBD2 port and connect via the Carly app on your smartphone. While connection can take a couple of minutes each time, the app dashboard presents a variety of options, including diagnostics, coding, and live data.
To test Carly’s diagnostic prowess, we used a friend’s F10 BMW 5 Series, a good test case to compare against a dealership-level tool like ISTA (which we also had for comparison). Carly proved to be thorough in its scanning capabilities, mirroring the depth of ISTA. However, the presentation differs; ISTA neatly lists all errors, while Carly organizes them by control unit. Despite this organizational difference, Carly captures the same error data, though the error descriptions can be less informative. For instance, a Central Gateway error read “Fscsm sends f60 invalid fingerprint” and simply “Assert.” It’s important to note that these are indeed error codes beyond the reach of standard OBD2 readers.
Alt: Carly Universal OBD2 Adapter plugged into vehicle diagnostic port, highlighting its compact design for car diagnostics and coding.
Clearing codes, a fundamental function, is easily accomplished with Carly. For deeper insight, the “Smart Mechanic” feature is available, though its utility is questionable. Testing it with a radio error in a test car yielded generic information about the CAN BUS system—data speeds, different CAN BUS types, and common sense checks—lacking fault-specific guidance. The information resembled ChatGPT-generated content, offering little beyond a basic Google search for “CAN BUS communication failure.” The promise of “Carly’s expert mechanics” providing fault-specific guides felt unmet, especially considering the premium attached to this feature. The “System” tab offered similarly vague information, referencing the VAG parts catalog (ETKA) and more generic descriptions of “Electrics” faults.
The “intelligence” tab was arguably the least impressive. It presents an animation followed by a “potential” catastrophic error warning based on the current fault. In the example of a car missing its EGR valve, Carly suggested a “15% chance” of imminent turbo failure. While the intention might be to preemptively warn users, it comes across as alarmist without supporting evidence. Lacking source transparency—like data showing error code correlations with future failures—this feature feels unreliable and more like fear-mongering than informed advice.
One of Carly’s major selling points is its “coding” capability, allowing users to modify hidden settings within vehicle control modules. For example, on an Audi S4, Carly can disable the hazard lights from flashing during hard braking—useful for track days where this feature can be distracting. Carly is heavily marketed towards BMW owners, and while it supports other brands, its functionality on a 2013 Audi S4 was limited to only three control modules with minimal customizable settings compared to specialized tools like VCDS.
However, on the F10 5 Series BMW, Carly accessed ten modules with numerous settings unavailable without dealership-level tools like INPA. These included disabling the backup camera disclaimer and correcting the speedometer display to show true speed. While some coding results seemed inaccurate, such as incorrectly indicating “start engine without brake” as enabled, other options were genuinely useful. Notably, the seat heater settings could be customized for each mode and seat individually—a practical feature for personalized comfort.
Alt: Carly app coding menu displayed on smartphone, illustrating user interface for customizing BMW vehicle parameters and unlocking hidden features.
The “features” tab offers additional utility, particularly for BMWs. While functions on the Audi S4 were limited to things like the rear brake service position, the 5 Series offered engine and transmission adaptation resets, DPF regeneration initiation, and battery coding. The battery health monitoring feature, designed to work on any car, tracks battery health and discharge over 24 hours when the dongle is left connected. The accuracy of this feature might be debatable given the dongle itself draws power, but a recorded 2.5% discharge seemed plausible, if potentially slightly high.
Despite its capabilities, Carly falls short of the comprehensive power of tools like ISTA and INPA for BMWs. ISTA and INPA offer every function BMW designed, along with detailed manuals, troubleshooting guides, and extensive diagnostic tests. However, these tools are complex and require significant training, whereas Carly prioritizes user-friendliness, albeit at the cost of depth. For brands other than BMW, VCDS (for VAG vehicles) or OBD11 offer significantly more diagnostic, coding, and functional capabilities than Carly. VCDS, while having a steeper learning curve, and OBD11, known for its user-friendliness and power, become more compelling alternatives.
The most significant drawback of Carly, however, is its pricing model. At first glance, £60 for the dongle and features (or £79 for BMW-specific) seems reasonable. Even the “all brands” option for a slightly higher price appears attractive. Skipping the £36 “Smart Mechanic” feature, a total of £87 for comprehensive access sounds decent. However, buried in small print is the crucial detail: “The Carly licenses are an annual subscription.” That £87, or £123 with “Smart Mechanic,” is a recurring yearly expense. In comparison, VCDS, a dealership-level tool for Volkswagen Audi Group vehicles, costs £185 for a 3-VIN license—equivalent to roughly two years of Carly subscriptions but with far greater functionality and a one-time purchase. For BMW enthusiasts willing to explore alternatives like ISTA (commonly accessible within enthusiast communities), a basic £20 cable from eBay and a used laptop can provide similar capabilities for a fraction of the ongoing cost. The annual subscription model at Carly’s price point is a major deterrent.
Alt: Carly app subscription pricing displayed on mobile screen, emphasizing the yearly fees for accessing diagnostic and coding features, crucial for understanding Carly coding prices.
The combination of an expensive annual subscription and limited capabilities compared to similarly priced, one-time purchase tools—especially outside the BMW ecosystem—makes Carly a hard sell. If the subscription were significantly cheaper, around £20 per year, or if Carly offered capabilities comparable to Autel scanners, the price might be justifiable. But as it stands, the annual fee, particularly for less comprehensive support on brands like Audi, is difficult to rationalize. The “Smart Mechanic” feature, essentially a repackaged ChatGPT and Google search, adds little value and certainly isn’t worth its additional annual cost.
In conclusion, while Carly offers a user-friendly interface for vehicle diagnostics and coding, its annual subscription pricing significantly diminishes its appeal, especially when compared to one-time purchase alternatives offering greater functionality or similar capabilities at a lower long-term cost. For car enthusiasts considering Carly, the crucial question revolves around Carly Coding Prices and whether the convenience justifies the yearly subscription fee against the backdrop of more powerful and cost-effective options available in the market. What are your thoughts on Carly? Is the subscription model a deal-breaker for you as well? Share your opinions in the comments below.
